In the search for novel treatment strategies for alcohol use disorder (AUD), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) approved for treating Type 2 diabetes and obesity have caught much attention. GLP-1 is a naturally occurring peptide produced in the small intestines and the brain, regulating plasma glucose levels and satiety. This focused review will report on the preclinical studies, case stories, register-based cohort studies, brain-imaging data and secondary analysis of clinical data supporting the role of GLP-1RAs as a novel treatment of AUD. Several clinical trials are ongoing, examining the potential effects of the GLP-1RA semaglutide in AUD.
Keywords: AUD; GLP‐1; alcohol use disorder; fMRI; glucagon‐like peptide‐1.
© 2025 The Author(s). Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Nordic Association for the Publication of BCPT (former Nordic Pharmacological Society).